Whether accident or design had been the cause, made no
odds--I was willing to match my wits against Kirby and endeavor to win.
And I must deal with facts, just as they were.
"It is my guess," I said, "that their only thought was to get away
before the crime was discovered. The leaving of this boat means
nothing, because the steam-operated keel-boat they escaped in, could
never be overtaken, once they had a fair start. If Kirby was alone in
this affair, and had those two women in his charge, getting away would
be about all he could attend to. He'd hardly dare leave them long
enough to sink this craft. But what does he know about running an
engine?"
"Ah reckon as how he cud, sah, if he just had to," interposed the
negro. "He wus a' foolin' mor' or les' wid dat one a' comin' up frum
Saint Louee; an' he sure ask'd me a big lot o' questions. He done
seemed right handy; he sure did."
"Then that probably is the explanation. Rene, would you be afraid to
remain here alone for a little while?"
She glanced about into the gloom of the surrounding woods, her
hesitancy answering me.
"It is not a pleasant prospect I admit, but there is no possible
danger. Kirby has gone, beyond all question, but I wish to learn, if I
can, the direction he has taken. All this must have happened only a
short time ago--while we were at the cabin. The keel-boat can scarcely
be entirely out of sight yet on either river, if we could only find a
place to offer us a wide view.
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